Tools and Materials Needed to Install Concrete Pavers
Do yourself a favor—get these items before installing pavers
Concrete pavers are durable and can be even stronger than poured concrete. In addition, they come in a range of sizes, colors, and shapes, allowing you to design the base of your patio with a look that pairs well with the rest of your home. They also have the bonus of being easy to clean and maintain; paver maintenance is a breeze. Installing concrete pavers is not a highly complex project for a seasoned DIYer, but make sure you have all the tools and materials handy to get the job done right. Read on to learn what you need to have on hand to install concrete pavers landscape with paver stones.
How Difficult Is Paver Installation?
If you’ve done a few home projects in the past and can handle shoveling many pounds of dirt, gravel, and sand over the course of a weekend, it’s not too difficult to install concrete pavers yourself. Plus, you’ll end up saving a fair amount of money; the labor cost to have pavers installed is between $50 and $80 per hour. If you decide to hire a professional, make sure to ask a patio paver contractor about their installation experience, licensing, schedule, and billing terms.
Tools Needed to Install Concrete Pavers
Having the right tools will ensure a seamless installation with the least amount of work—manufacturers built these items to get the job done, so put them to use!
A Bobcat (optional)
If you need to demolish existing concrete, cement, or asphalt before putting your new pavers in place, a Bobcat can take care of the job quickly.
Wheelbarrow
You can use a wheelbarrow to both haul off debris and move sand or soil into the area you wish to place the pavers.
Shovels
Flat and pointed shovels are necessary to dig out and remove fill. In addition, you will need them to spread topsoil and sand.
Compactor
Rent a plate compactor to tamp down the dirt. Most hardware stores will rent one for under $100 per day. For smaller jobs, a manual tamper will only set you back about $10 per day.
Level
Use a level to check that you’ve put down your subbase and sand evenly. In addition, make sure you have the right slope: a patio should slope away from the house with a 1-inch drop for every 4-feet.
Bricklayer Gloves
These heavy-duty gloves will protect your hands and give you a solid grip when performing any of the laborious tasks involved in this project, from shoveling to carrying the pavers themselves.
Tape Measure
A must for almost any home project, a tape measure will come in handy when you need to note your space’s width, length, and depth.
Wood Stakes and String
Wood stakes and string are necessary to mark your project’s dimensions before you begin laying the pavers down.
Framing Square
This little tool will ensure you have mapped out a square area with your stakes and string.
Lump Hammer
Sometimes called a mini-sledge, this tool will help you drive in wooden stakes or gingerly tap pavers in place. A rubber hammer is an alternative option that’s softer on the pavers if you’re worried about damaging them.
Leaf Blower
After installation, use a leaf blower to say sayonara to any excess sand.
Materials Needed to Install Concrete Pavers
Compatible Gravel
This gravel creates your patio’s subbase. After digging approximately 7 inches into the dirt, you’ll want to lay a 3-inch layer of gravel.
Landscape Fabric
Landscape fabric will help stop weeds from growing and create a layer between the gravel and the sand.
Fill or Concrete Sand
Concrete sand (also known as paver or fill sand) should spread out in a 1-inch layer over the landscape fabric. Don’t buy sandbox sand; it isn’t the same thing!
Polymeric Sand
Adding polymeric sand in between pavers after placing them will help keep them in place and prevent weeds from growing in the cracks. Sweep the sand into the joints and use a hand tamper to settle it down.
Pavers
If you haven’t already chosen the best pavers, now is the time. This is the fun part: concrete pavers come in many different shapes and sizes to complement a range of designs. Make sure to buy a few extra to serve as replacements in case of future damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
It might seem counterintuitive, but the best time to install a paver patio is during late fall to winter. The cold and wet weather of those seasons can help your patio installer perfect the foundation for your patio. Plus, you'll likely be able to find better sales and deals during the colder months when patio installation business is typically slower. Consult a local patio paver professional to determine the best time to install based on your area’s climate.
The cost of a paver patio is $3,800 for a 280-square-foot patio on average. Depending on the patio size, paver material, and design complexity, this cost can range from $2,400 to $7,000 or more.
The size of your patio is a significant factor in the project’s overall cost. If you're building a smaller patio of only 60 square feet, your costs will be closer to $480 to $1,500. If you want a more luxurious 900-square-foot patio, you'll spend closer to $7,200 to $22,500.
A paver patio can last anywhere from 20 to 100 years, depending on the type of pavers and how well you maintain them.
Travertine pavers are usually the most durable, lasting 100 years or more, with regular maintenance. Concrete brick pavers have a variety of shapes and colors available and typically last 25 to 50 years. Traditional brick pavers have a more classic look, lasting around 20 years with proper maintenance.
It's also necessary to install paver edging when installing a paver patio. This additional step helps prevent the paver borders from shifting outward, which happens due to frequent use and soil expansion over time. By being diligent and placing the paver edging during the patio installation, you can help minimize upkeep and repair costs. Plus, this feature can help maintain your pavers to keep them in place permanently.
While installing a paver patio yourself is possible, we don’t recommend it. First, this project is very time-consuming, averaging around 40 to 50 hours. Beyond the sheer amount of labor required, you need to have knowledge of yard grading and drainage so that rainwater doesn't puddle on your new patio.
Without sufficient expertise, you could encounter several problems, including improper placement and leveling of sand or improperly compacted soil, leading to an uneven surface. For these reasons, hiring a professional paver patio installer is advisable to build the patio of your dreams.
